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Brian Blomerth's Bicycle Day
Illustrator, musician and self-described “comic stripper” Brian Blomerth has spent years combining classic underground art styles with his bitingly irreverent visual wit in zines, comics, and album covers. With Brian Blomerth’s Bicycle Day, the artist has produced his most ambitious work to date: a historical account of the events of April 19, 1943, when Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann ingested an experimental dose of a new compound known as lysergic acid diethylamide and embarked on the world’s first acid trip. Featuring an introduction from renowned ethnopharmacologist, Dennis McKenna, Brian Blomerth’s Bicycle Day combines an extraordinary true story told in journalistic detail with the artist’s gritty, timelessly Technicolor comix style that is a testament to mind expansion, and a stunningly original visual history.
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First published June 21, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
May 23, 2022
This book has the brightest colours I've ever seen on paper
September 1, 2019
Beautifully drawn in a style reminiscent of the animation that was popular at the time, this graphic novel presents an artistic retelling of Albert Hoffman's historic bicycle "trip."
The forward, written by Terrence McKenna's brother Dennis, was also very good. It pointed out that bicycle day was the same day as the beginning of the siege of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the eve of Passover in 1943. Due to my religious background, this is a powerful juxtaposition which Dennis ventures that the lesson of this may be "As a species, we are capable of the greatest good and the greatest evil." And that "LSD, and other psychedelics, may be the antidote to the sickness that poisons the western mind." And I would add, it sure as hell isn't making it worse.
The forward, written by Terrence McKenna's brother Dennis, was also very good. It pointed out that bicycle day was the same day as the beginning of the siege of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the eve of Passover in 1943. Due to my religious background, this is a powerful juxtaposition which Dennis ventures that the lesson of this may be "As a species, we are capable of the greatest good and the greatest evil." And that "LSD, and other psychedelics, may be the antidote to the sickness that poisons the western mind." And I would add, it sure as hell isn't making it worse.
November 8, 2019
I've admired Blomerth's comics for a long time but this is definitely the longest I've spent with them. He's not a particularly great storyteller (though, to be fair, it's also a pretty simple and familiar story) but his drawing style is wholly his own. Colorful and drippy with a strong picturebook vibe. This could be a kids book... if you felt like having an interesting talk with the kid after.
May 1, 2022
My sweetie got both of Blomerth's recent books on psychedelic drugs, this one and the one about the family that popularized shrooms in the West. This book was about the invention/discovery of LSD by Albert Hofmann. Apparently people who take LSD trips know about "Bicycle Day." The book contextualizes this moment in two ways: in the introduction, the essayist reminds us that April 19, 1943 was also the day the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began. Also, Sandoz Labs, where Hofmann did his work, was also where another chemist invented DDT. Hofmann, and Bloomerth, and many people, believe in the liberatory power of hallucinogens. The art in the book is suitably trippy and captures the terror that Hofmann surely experienced on this unexpectedly powerful acid trip. Both books gave me a great impression of Bloomerth, and were, coincidentally, little advertisements for happy marriage and the nuclear family. Neither made me want to take a trip though.
March 16, 2022
This was a lot of fun. It's been special to see Brian's profile rise over the last few years. These made me dig out some old zines and cassettes by him, which definitely always had a psychedelic vibe and great idiosyncratic art. But with this pair of books on psychedelic history he's also become a master at telling a compelling story.
April 27, 2021
Extremely fun. The drawings are sometimes gorgeous, sometimes adorable, often times both. After years of hearing short versions of the Bicycle Day story it was way cool to get a fuller historical perspective. Huzzah, scientific discovery.
Want to Read
August 27, 2019(I haven't read this yet, but I flipped through a friend's copy. The art is fantastically psychedelic.)
March 29, 2020
So chat
October 8, 2026
Brian Blomerth's Bicycle Day is a vivid, colorful and cartoony retelling of the world's very first LSD trip. This occurred when the Swiss chemist who synthesized it (Albert Hofmann) decided, on a professional hunch, to revisit the lysergic acid diethylamide compound that had previously proved to be pharmacologically uninteresting.
Blomerth focuses his narrative very specifically on a few key days that led up to April 19, 1943, when that first trip occurred. His visual style is Disney-inspired, with all of the characters rendered as anthropomorphic animals dressing and behaving as humans. Many of the exotic creatures encountered during Hofmann's trip are direct nods to Disney films from the early 1940's (such as Fantasia and Pinocchio). Colors throughout the story are bright and bold, and become only a little more so during the trip itself.
That uniformity of presentation means that the events of the very first LSD trip are not really so distinct from the rest of the text, and this is the main limitation of Blomerth's approach: since everything looks weird and loopy from the get-go, when the effects of the acid kick in, they feel underwhelming, despite the legendarily large dose of LSD that Hofmann subjected himself to. So the main event of this story feels rather unspectacular in relation to the rest of the narrative.
In endnotes from the author, he does discuss some of his choices in telling this story, and even delves into the chemistry of LSD. This leads to my favorite part of the book, which is more entertaining the story itself, when the reader is presented with this sage advice:
Blomerth focuses his narrative very specifically on a few key days that led up to April 19, 1943, when that first trip occurred. His visual style is Disney-inspired, with all of the characters rendered as anthropomorphic animals dressing and behaving as humans. Many of the exotic creatures encountered during Hofmann's trip are direct nods to Disney films from the early 1940's (such as Fantasia and Pinocchio). Colors throughout the story are bright and bold, and become only a little more so during the trip itself.
That uniformity of presentation means that the events of the very first LSD trip are not really so distinct from the rest of the text, and this is the main limitation of Blomerth's approach: since everything looks weird and loopy from the get-go, when the effects of the acid kick in, they feel underwhelming, despite the legendarily large dose of LSD that Hofmann subjected himself to. So the main event of this story feels rather unspectacular in relation to the rest of the narrative.
In endnotes from the author, he does discuss some of his choices in telling this story, and even delves into the chemistry of LSD. This leads to my favorite part of the book, which is more entertaining the story itself, when the reader is presented with this sage advice:
Failure to use a nitrogen atmosphere during distillation of anhydrous hydrazine will likely cause an explosion.
March 4, 2025
now this was a delight. what a fantastic way to tell a story. this art was killer. top notch book!
August 17, 2026
Got this bc I love the art style. And now I know all about LSD! I don’t think I can ever see myself doing or enjoying lol, but cool to learn about.
September 21, 2025
a very short read that should have taken me more time given the absolutely phenomenal illustrations and use of color. it’s so clear that this was made by someone who had a lot of love for the practice of psychedelia. i have … let’s say, a similar appreciation for the form, so i can immediately tell the author is genuine, with real experience and sincerity behind the art. it’s like the complete opposite of those trippy temu tapestries lol
one thing is for sure; i need to own this book so bad so i can use it as reference for my art. so in love with blonerth’s work and am so excited to see more of his stuff!!!!
one thing is for sure; i need to own this book so bad so i can use it as reference for my art. so in love with blonerth’s work and am so excited to see more of his stuff!!!!
March 29, 2026
This was a lot of fun. A psychedelic graphic telling of how LSD was created. With a ton of information at the beginning and end of the book. And the actual graphic novel in the middle. Letting you watch the story unfold in trippy beautiful art. Colors and characters and lines and letters. All over every single page. It's about as close to a psychedelic trip as you can get on a page without actually being high. Even if you don't read or buy the book, you definitely need to flip through and see how bizarre some of the pages are. It's a blast to look at and enjoy. Very quick read too. So there's a lot of extra time to enjoy the wildness. Highly recommend!
February 20, 2021
DRUGS!
May 22, 2021
Wow. This was fantastic. Such great colors, style, and layout. I can't wait to own this for myself. Highly recommend.
January 13, 2022
This is an absolutely gorgeous book. The illustrations are creative and beautiful. Snag a copy of this book while they're cheap.
September 6, 2022
Sweet and short.
Here for the art, not for the chemistry.
I find the introduction is very useful on this one, as I didn't have the slightest idea what Bicycle Day actually was (now I do).
Quite educational when it comes to the 'good' uses of LSD (=research).
I was wondering how Blomerth was going to be able to depict the LSD experience when his art is always so psychedelic even in a 'normal' setting, but the use of neon green and pink did the trick just fine.
Here for the art, not for the chemistry.
I find the introduction is very useful on this one, as I didn't have the slightest idea what Bicycle Day actually was (now I do).
Quite educational when it comes to the 'good' uses of LSD (=research).
I was wondering how Blomerth was going to be able to depict the LSD experience when his art is always so psychedelic even in a 'normal' setting, but the use of neon green and pink did the trick just fine.
July 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ wow, the art was amazing in this. and i loved the writing from the author at the end. very candid and refreshing to see. as someone who is terrified of hallucinogens, this made me appreciate them a little more.
December 9, 2021
Una joyita preciosa. Mucho tacto y cariño para un viaje tan ajetreado.
October 14, 2024
This is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever held in my hands. The transcendental artwork really brings the story to life in a magical way!
August 1, 2025
BEAUTIFUL art that matches the subject matter perfectly. quick read, very fun
January 4, 2026
Gorgeously trippy and really informative
December 17, 2024
I just love love love love love these illustrations. I'm assuming this is risograph-printed? And the colours are edible. STUNNING
September 25, 2021
Guaranteed contact high --- Well... you are not dying... the only abnormality is dilated pupils...
July 22, 2021
Incredible, trippy art — why is everyone a dog!? — with a story that is just enough there to not get in the way of all the incredible visuals. The intro covers the majority of the narrative, so if you just flip through for the art, you won’t miss anything except some funny lines here and there. (“Nobody’s ever won a Nobel Prize for Tightest Pussy!”)
Acid seems awful and fun, like a four gallon Icee or being 23. Good book, though.
Acid seems awful and fun, like a four gallon Icee or being 23. Good book, though.
October 24, 2022
If a silent film could be made into a book than it would be this book. The art and the story were good from start to finish which came quickly because I couldn't put it down. Blomerth clearly enjoys this topic and I'm happy he decided to make a book about it.
Honestly was this book screen printed or did I also accidentally ingest the LSD-25? I don't know how they made these colors jump off the page but DANG
Honestly was this book screen printed or did I also accidentally ingest the LSD-25? I don't know how they made these colors jump off the page but DANG
March 25, 2026
Depicts Albert Hofmann's few days around the time when he discovered LSD.
The story, while on a fascinating subject, could be read on about one page in length. It also doesn't include much interesting of substance, other than a few go-throughs of chemical processes. Instead, the art is what is in focus here, and it's colorful and well made. The gutter loss was pretty heavy and annoying though.
I enjoyed it, but don't understand the hype
The story, while on a fascinating subject, could be read on about one page in length. It also doesn't include much interesting of substance, other than a few go-throughs of chemical processes. Instead, the art is what is in focus here, and it's colorful and well made. The gutter loss was pretty heavy and annoying though.
I enjoyed it, but don't understand the hype
Read
September 24, 2023La più bella storia svizzera mai avvenuta & raccontata (e ora anche disegnata). Con mia prefazione.
April 19, 2024
I write this on April 19th, 2024. 81 years ago today, on April 19th, 1943, chemist Albert Hofmann took the very first intentional LSD trip and bicycled home under the influence. This day has gone down in history, at least in certain circles, as Bicycle Day. This beautiful graphic novel tells the story of that day.
It starts with a very nice introduction by psychonaut Dennis J. McKenna, brother of the great Terence McKenna. He talks about the historical significance of the Nazi atrocities happening at the same time this miracle was coming to light. He also talks about how Hoffman's invention/discovery having the potential of being one of the greatest to change the course of human history.
The graphic novel begins with Albert Hoffman living in Switzerland and working for Sandoz Labs, trying to come up with some kind of useful chemical or drug from natural remedies. One of his colleagues had come up with a new miracle insecticide that poses no danger to non-insects called DDT (womp womp) so the pressure was on. Well, he goes back to one of his old duds, LSD-25, and re-creates a batch and accidentally gets a little dosed. He decides it must have been the LSD and gives himself what he thinks is a small dose (but which is actually a pretty large dose) of 250 micrograms. He then proceeds to trip balls and even thinks he is going to die at some point.
It's not a short book, but it's a quick read. The psychedelic art is absolutely gorgeous and they must have used special inks printing this one because the colors absolutely pop. It's beautiful. There's lots of test tubes and chemistry, but it's made for the layman. Actually, the author specifically states not to use this book to try any at-home chemistry experiments. It covers only a brief segment of the events as the visual medium is often constrained to do. I think next year for Bicycle Day, I will read LSD: My Problem Child – Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science which is Albert Hofmann's memoir that (presumably) extensively covers those days, as well as the rest of his life.
HAPPY BICYCLE DAY!!!
It starts with a very nice introduction by psychonaut Dennis J. McKenna, brother of the great Terence McKenna. He talks about the historical significance of the Nazi atrocities happening at the same time this miracle was coming to light. He also talks about how Hoffman's invention/discovery having the potential of being one of the greatest to change the course of human history.
The graphic novel begins with Albert Hoffman living in Switzerland and working for Sandoz Labs, trying to come up with some kind of useful chemical or drug from natural remedies. One of his colleagues had come up with a new miracle insecticide that poses no danger to non-insects called DDT (womp womp) so the pressure was on. Well, he goes back to one of his old duds, LSD-25, and re-creates a batch and accidentally gets a little dosed. He decides it must have been the LSD and gives himself what he thinks is a small dose (but which is actually a pretty large dose) of 250 micrograms. He then proceeds to trip balls and even thinks he is going to die at some point.
It's not a short book, but it's a quick read. The psychedelic art is absolutely gorgeous and they must have used special inks printing this one because the colors absolutely pop. It's beautiful. There's lots of test tubes and chemistry, but it's made for the layman. Actually, the author specifically states not to use this book to try any at-home chemistry experiments. It covers only a brief segment of the events as the visual medium is often constrained to do. I think next year for Bicycle Day, I will read LSD: My Problem Child – Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science which is Albert Hofmann's memoir that (presumably) extensively covers those days, as well as the rest of his life.
HAPPY BICYCLE DAY!!!
January 15, 2021
Bicycle Day conveys the story of Albert Hofmann’s invention of and first trips on LSD, told through a flow of illustrations and visual designs. Don’t expect an in-depth written account in this graphic non-fiction piece; the strength of this book lies squarely in the visuals.
The illustration in this book is honestly jaw-dropping. As a psychedelic-inspired illustrator myself, this is one of those rare instances where you wonder whether you should drop your pen and find another profession when there are illustrators this advanced living in our current day and age. Blomerth’s ability to capture the ephemeral, nostalgic and deeply emotive quality of visuals from the psychedelic-enhanced mindstate is admirable.
There is definitely enough overt weirdness to keep the tripper amused for hours, but for me the greatest beauty of the illustration lay in the more subtle use of colour, design and texture. The book commences with a few pages of beautifully composed landscapes that feel heart-achingly reminiscent of Hokusai’s woodblock prints, later collapsing into nonsensical neon madness as Hofmann dives through his first LSD trips.
The illustration is never predictable or boring. Just as you start to get a feel for Blomerth’s visual style, he switches it up and takes his designs down a different path, making for a wild read from start to end. For the artist, there is a lot to absorb and learn from this work. Bicycle Day has become a valued addition to my library of art books, and Blomerth himself has now become my newest artistic influence. This is a book I believe I will treasure for life, and will continue to share with friends who can appreciate the brilliance of this work.
The illustration in this book is honestly jaw-dropping. As a psychedelic-inspired illustrator myself, this is one of those rare instances where you wonder whether you should drop your pen and find another profession when there are illustrators this advanced living in our current day and age. Blomerth’s ability to capture the ephemeral, nostalgic and deeply emotive quality of visuals from the psychedelic-enhanced mindstate is admirable.
There is definitely enough overt weirdness to keep the tripper amused for hours, but for me the greatest beauty of the illustration lay in the more subtle use of colour, design and texture. The book commences with a few pages of beautifully composed landscapes that feel heart-achingly reminiscent of Hokusai’s woodblock prints, later collapsing into nonsensical neon madness as Hofmann dives through his first LSD trips.
The illustration is never predictable or boring. Just as you start to get a feel for Blomerth’s visual style, he switches it up and takes his designs down a different path, making for a wild read from start to end. For the artist, there is a lot to absorb and learn from this work. Bicycle Day has become a valued addition to my library of art books, and Blomerth himself has now become my newest artistic influence. This is a book I believe I will treasure for life, and will continue to share with friends who can appreciate the brilliance of this work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews